{{newsitem| Guatemala Burning Devil Festival |7 Dec 2012| This is a religious festival which usually takes place on December 7th across Guatemala, best celebrated in [[Antigua]]. At 6pm piles of rubbish and giant effigies of Devils/Diablos are burnt in an attempt to rid the country of anyevil presence. In traditional South American Festival fashion there are plenty of fireworks and marimba bands will drown out the crackle of burning cardboard. [http://www.festivalpig.com/Guatemalas-Burning-Devil.html]}}

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{{newsitem|Bridgewater Festival of Lights, Bridgewater|7 Dec- 25 Dec 2012| The festival features an incredible display of 200,000 lights holiday lights, including a huge animated village the entire family can walk through together. You will be able to taste and feel the holiday season, sipping on a cup of hot chocolate while standing beside a roaring fire. Hours of operation are 4:45pm to 8:30pm weeknights and 4:45pm to 9:30pm weekends. This is going to be the last year of the festival. [http://bridgewaterfestivaloflights.com/index.php] }}

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{{newsitem| Saint Lucy's Day |13 Dec 2012| This is a Lutheran, Catholic and Orthodox Christian holy day that’s celebrated throughout the world, particularly in [[Sweden]], [[Scandinavia]] and [[Italy]]. St. Lucy Day celebrates, with Advent, the start of the Christmas season as well as the winter solstice. In [[Scandinavia]], St. Lucy Day celebrates the “Festival of Lights.” Scandinavia has some of the darkest winters in the world, so a celebration of light holds much meaning. In the [[United States]] it is celebrated with cookies on the mantel in states for a large number of people of Scandinavian ancestry, often centered around church events. [http://www.cafemom.com/group/107447/forums/read/17680448/How_to_celebrate_Saint_Lucys_Day]. }}

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{{newsitem| Samurai Festival Tokyo |14 Dec 2012| This Asian festival is a A parade of "47 Ronin Warriors" accompanied by enemy lords, floats, folk dancers and traditional Japanese music with a fife band. The parade starts from Ako Castle and passes passing through the city's busiest streets, and reaches the JR Banshu-Ako Sta. [http://www.festivalpig.com/Samurai-Festival-Tokyo.html] }}

{{newsitem|Oaxaca Radish Festival, Mexico |23 Dec 2012| This is a Mexican festival, known as Noche de Rábanos in Spanish. Everyone gathers in the Plaza Zócalo and an exhibition of sculptures made from a type of large red radish which can weigh up to 3.00 kilograms ensues. Sculptures are made to look like to Jesus and other regulars to the nativity scene as well as local folklore characters. This event manages to attract thousands of spectators every year, the event builds up from about a week before with local events organized and artists keeping their radishes fresh by spraying them with water. This event manages to attract thousands of spectators every year, the event builds up from about a week before with local events organized and artists keeping their radishes fresh by spraying them with water [http://www.festivalpig.com/Oaxaca-Radish-Festival.html]}}

{{newsitem|Oaxaca Radish Festival, Mexico |23 Dec 2012| This is a Mexican festival, known as Noche de Rábanos in Spanish. Everyone gathers in the Plaza Zócalo and an exhibition of sculptures made from a type of large red radish which can weigh up to 3.00 kilograms ensues. Sculptures are made to look like to Jesus and other regulars to the nativity scene as well as local folklore characters. This event manages to attract thousands of spectators every year, the event builds up from about a week before with local events organized and artists keeping their radishes fresh by spraying them with water. This event manages to attract thousands of spectators every year, the event builds up from about a week before with local events organized and artists keeping their radishes fresh by spraying them with water [http://www.festivalpig.com/Oaxaca-Radish-Festival.html]}}

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{{newsitem|Traditional Christmas Markets, Germany|23 Nov- 23 Dec 2012| The events are taking place nationwide with over 2,500 markets that will illuminate Germany's town squares. You would be able to see beautifully decorated stalls that offer handicrafts and gifts, festive baked treats, glühwein and delicious regional specialties. All the while, choirs and brass-bands provide festive musical accompaniment. Particularly popular with visitors are [[Nuremberg]]'s Christkindlesmarkt and the Striezelmarkt in [[Dresden]].[http://www.germany.travel/en/specials/christmas/christmas.html]}}

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{{newsitem|Traditional Christmas Markets, Germany|till 23 Dec 2012| The events are taking place nationwide with over 2,500 markets that will illuminate Germany's town squares. You would be able to see beautifully decorated stalls that offer handicrafts and gifts, festive baked treats, glühwein and delicious regional specialties. All the while, choirs and brass-bands provide festive musical accompaniment. Particularly popular with visitors are [[Nuremberg]]'s Christkindlesmarkt and the Striezelmarkt in [[Dresden]].[http://www.germany.travel/en/specials/christmas/christmas.html]}}

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{{newsitem|Bridgewater Festival of Lights, Bridgewater|till 25 Dec 2012| The festival features an incredible display of 200,000 lights holiday lights, including a huge animated village the entire family can walk through together. You will be able to taste and feel the holiday season, sipping on a cup of hot chocolate while standing beside a roaring fire. Hours of operation are 4:45pm to 8:30pm weeknights and 4:45pm to 9:30pm weekends. This is going to be the last year of the festival. [http://bridgewaterfestivaloflights.com/index.php] }}

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{{newsitem| Scotland Fire Festival, Stonehaven|31 Dec 2012| At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, sixty kilt-wearing participants light up the high street of this North Sea fishing port, whirling 16-pound flaming balls, attached to five foot long wire ropes, over and around their heads. The marchers, accompanied by pipers and drummers, make their way through the center of town from the Market Cross to the harbor, where they throw their flaming balls into the sea. [http://thecheaproute.com/12/121/scotland-fire-festival-in-stonehaven-aberdeenshire.html]}}

Revision as of 22:55, 20 December 2012

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Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and is especially worth visiting during December because it is a home to Santa Claus. Most tourists come to visit Santa Claus Village where they can meet Santa himself and spend their time in Santapark- a vibrant, underground amusement park. In Rovaniemi you can try all sorts of cold and snowy activities like snowmobile safaris and dog sledding. (more...)

Chefchaouen is a gorgeous mountain city in northeastern Morocco. The picturesque medina, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rif Mountains, is filled with white-washed homes with distinctive, powder-blue accents, and the call to prayer rings out of several mosques around the town in chorus. If you've got a few days to relax from the rigors of travel, this is a good place to do it. (more...)